Although the Core i9-9900KS may be the new flagship processor by Intel for its mainstream league of CPUs, the Intel Core i7 9700K is a more versatile and interesting chip. However, one controversial decision for this model is to drop hyper-threading as most of its rivals such as Ryzen 7 2700X have no problem is putting hyper-threading.
Intel has already done this but for lower-end processors such as Core i3 and Core i3. But if we talk about the i7, it has been designed for more high-end processors and audiences. One more thing, the result this chunk of silicone showed in testing labs was very surprising. It was good to know what it is capable of.
As Intel has dropped hyper-threading for its affordable and lower-end speakers, this model is a high-end processor designed for creatives and gamers. Regardless of reservations, this Coffee Lake Refresh CPU has amazed the experts due to its excellent performance.
For How Much This CPU Comes?
The price of this model is much higher than the Intel Core i7 8700K which is a price of $359. Rather, this Coffee Lake Processor comes at a much higher price of $374. However, with the advance in technology, companies have manufactured 9700K processors at a lower price. One such processor is the Ryzen 7 3700X. Being the direct competitor of the Core i7, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X comes at a reasonable price of $329. Since it was the last-generation processor especially now, its price is further cheap now.
Specifications and Chipset
Equipped with 8-threads and 8-cores, you will find uniqueness in this processor as compared to its predecessor. Unlike the 2017’s Intel Core i7 8700K, thisbest mobo for i7 9700k processor comes with two more cores but has fewer threads as compared to the former. Moreover, the base clock of this model is 3.6GHz and is capable of boosting one of its processor cores at the speed of 4.9GHz. On the other hand, it is a tick higher 3.7GHz base frequency the Core i7 8700K starts at. However, as far as the boosting clock is concerned, it cannot go nearly the speed of 4.87GHz.
In order to support greater overclocking capabilities, Intel has chosen a soldered integrated heat spreader for its latest 9th Generation chip. The use of IHS was not seen since the 2nd Generation Sandy BRIDGE Core processors. For the last couple of generations of chips, Intel was going with a Thermal Interface Material aka thermal paste to transfer heat between the IHS and the processor dies. Unluckily, this alteration in manufacturing did result in hotter running processors which irritated many over clockers and enthusiast users.
Theoretically speaking, replacing the purported gold-plated solder with the TIM will prove a more efficient medium of heat transfer. However, while testing, the temperature was much like that was the 8700K.
Performance
Thanks to Thermal Design Power or a higher TDP, and boosted single-thread performance, the Intel Core i7 9700K beats its competitor, 8700K. However, the former drops hyper-threading. Moreover, in most multi-threaded workloads, the 9700K also fails to hold a candle to AMD’s offerings. For example, the 9700K got a score of 203 points in the single-core test while the 8700K got 193 in Cinebench R15. This also betters the gaming performance of this processor. Such as 125 frames per second of 9700K in Middle Earth Shadow of War at 1080 as compared to 8700K’s 121. Although this is not a very high jump where gaming performance is concerned, it is a bump nonetheless.
If a comparison is drawn between the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X and the 9700K, gaming performance is more substantial. For example, the difference in frames per second in the same Shadow of War test was more obvious. Although nobody will have a reservation for this gaming performance which is very good. But everyone knows that Intel is famous for gaming performance. That is why 120 fps of the 9700K is not without criticism.
But if one is doing media creation, AMD beats the 9700K. In the Cinebench multi-threaded test, AMD scored 1798 which is much higher than that Intel’s 1463. However, Intel excels in Handbrake with a score of 66fps as compared to AMD’s 61.
Some people may feel panic when seeing Intel dropping hyper-threading, but it does not mean its lacks performance. If you are looking for the best processor for playing the best PC games, this processor will do the trick for you and is one of the best processors available in the market.
Pros
- Strong thermals
- Amazing performance
Cons
- Falls behind in multi-threaded loads
- Without hyper-threading
Final Verdict
Although Intel is just another iteration of Intel processors, the 9700K is one of the best processors in the market for gaming. For playing games, the single-threaded performance that it ensures will prove sufficient for you in years to come. What it means is that you can enjoy fast gaming for years thanks to this processor.
Despite dropping hyper-threading on the Intel 9700K, the multi-threaded performance of this processor is beyond excellent. Simply put, this processor will make the gamers and content creators feel the burn thanks to its high-end performance.